All About Box Blades

Box blades are a tool that have a lot of uses around the homestead. If there's rough ground that needs to be leveled and prepared for seeding or a gravel driveway that has developed a "hump" or crown from years of use, a box blade can fix a those, and other, problems.

At first blush, there's not much difference between box blades, other than price. But, with most things, you get what you pay for. This video talks about the different options that are available so you know what you're buying. Most homeowners can get by with about the cheapest box blade you can find, but if you use it a lot, or you're in really rough terrain like I am in the Missouri Ozarks, a heavier built model may be worth the extra money. Many of the major manufacturers of box blades make an inexpensive model and a deluxe model. Some even have an intermediate line. I'll give you some tips on what to look for in the video so you get one that will work for you.

The second part of the video is me resurrecting an old driveway. When I first saw the driveway, and the box blade I borrowed to make the video, I frankly wasn't sure it would be a success. When I was done I was even surprised at how well it turned out.

If you're doing a huge amount of driveway work, or a business with a large gravel area, a better investment might be a grader blade. They look a little like a box blade but they're a lot longer and flatter, and they have a blade aimed forward followed by a blade aimed back. They'll do what I did on the video with one pass, versus having to back up to cut the crown then move forward to spread it out. They work really slick for leveling dirt as well. They are quite a bit more expensive, unless you could find a used one.

I have to say, I was really, REALLY proud of how well that old driveway looked when I finished. It' was about like the feeling you get when you're done brush hogging and you look back and think how pretty it is. That's the part of tractor ownership that makes most of us love having them and make me really enjoy doing these videos.

[aaronburford]

Love the box blade.... made the driveway look perfect. I like how the grass disappeared once the blade hit it! Great Video!

[nowakezoneforever]

Over four years later and this video is still helping others. Thanks Mike!

[mhrt]

Very helpful, and insightful (for ME). I'm buying a farm, so I'll need a tractor, bush hog, and box blade. Now, I'll know how to use it.

[smoothbore]

That's all well and good for flatlanders, who don't have to deal with erosion. Here in the hills, that grass growing in the center of the lane helps hold the gravel in place.

[TF]

My favorite box blade is the roll over box blade that has 3 positions.
Box going forward, box going backward, and rippers straight down about a foot.

And use a hydraulic top and tilt kit with it.

Besides, what the rippers pointed down it gives you a big curved platform to carry tools and supplies on.

[FoolOfATuque]

When it comes to box blades weight is #1 in my opinion. If you don't have enough weight in your box blade it won't be very effective. I run an Armstrong AG medium duty box blade and it does a great job leveling out our roads.

[davidschurk]

I think dollar per pound the box blade is one of the most useful attachments you can buy. Great video Mike.

[daveross]

I have a box blade I bought from TSC Stores (now Peavy Mart here in Ontario, Canada). It was cheap (less than $1k) but has all of the features talked about here. It’s been used on my driveway a few times and in the woods spreading truckloads of wood chips in low areas. I have from time to time pushed up against a stump to pry it up. I have a 7000-lb 2WD, 40-hp tractor (old). The box blade looks like a pretzel today. Unusable. The scarifier teeth are okay, but the shanks are all bent out of shape.

The lesson here is that the steel in these cheap units can look just as thick as a high quality unit, but simply be scrap metal waiting to happen. Looking down at the prices quoted when this video first posted, 2011… wow. I was quoted today on a 78” Bush Hog BB at Cdn$2, 700. And that is in a package with a new 47-hp tractor. I know it will be better, but wow.

[buildingourparadise]

Besides my FEL, my box blade is a close second for use, great video and tips. Still going strong all these years later.

[JohnnyRebKy]

Very good. It takes a little time to master the box blade and this gives folks a good start. I have a Dirt Dog 4ft box blade for my sub compact tractor. Dirt dog is a family owned small business who makes implements in Georgia. I recommend everyone check them out. Much cheaper than John Deere or Kubota dealer blades, and better than cheap made in china blades. Dirt Dog 💪🏻

[JohnTurner]

Hi Tractor Mike, just wanted to say "thanks" for posting your videos. I am a newbie farmer doing my best to learn the ropes. Your videos are great and very informative, I am getting all of my questions answered. I don't think I will ever be able to afford a spiffy new tractor but the info you are sharing is helping me figure out which used tractors to consider. And now I don't feel like an idiot when I run into someone way more experienced then me because now at least I know the lingo and some of what to look for. Keep up the great work, I subscribed and I'm watching as much as I can so I hope that helps support your work somehow.

[timziegler]

I always wondered what people used box blades for. Thanks to you I now know what to look for in buying one and how to use it. Thank you.

[kcole]

Make sure you match your box blade and tractor HP rating. Too light of a box blade versus a high HP tractor can damage the box blade, especially when getting too much material or weight when going backwards. The pile gets heavy, the tractor is still pushing and the box blade is between an immovable object and an irresistible force.

[toddshook]

Hi Mike,
I found your channel couple weeks ago. I just got a new Kubota B2601 with front loader and box grader last week. I wanted to get familiar with it before I took delivery so been watching your videos. Your channel has helped me get started to take care of my property. Thank you. Todd -Phelan, Ca.

[dwhallon]

Tractor Mike, nice explaination of what to look for and basics on use.

[WdsmnBob]

good video, but i would caution new users to push backward with their box blade. it is very easy to get too much bite and break your box blade top frame or even the tractors 3 point hitch arms. I generally pull for the heavy jobs and use backward for light spreading. Ive bent my box blade pushing backwarda like that.

[gimpygardner]

I love my rusty old box blade. It’s much easier to hide in the weeds than the bright orange ones.

[luvbigiron]

Nice video. Maybe you could do a complementary video of adding cylinders to the top link and maybe even the tilt link. I do not have them on my L35 Kubota so I'm constantly manually adjusting both links to get the results I want.

[shawn]

yes they are, I have a 2003 tc35 with loader like new condition with 280 hours beautiful tractors.thanks for the videos there great!

[semco]

After hearing what you said, I got the cheaper box blade, but it was built with quality steel and is American made. I have found some uses for mine since it came as part of a package deal from the John Deere dealership when I got the tractor. I have to be careful around my place since there is roots in my yard from the trees I use for shade in Summer.